Every year in late March, cherry blossoms come to life in Vancouver, marking the commencement of spring. While this brief yet refreshing bloom of sakura (桜) is welcomed by most, few appreciates the true significance of this exotic flower.
As the national flower of Japan, sakura actually represents a time of renewal and optimism. Its shades of pink mark the end of winter and the beginning of spring, paying homage to the majesty of nature.
Due to their brief blooming season, cherry blossoms also symbolize the transience of life and the short yet heroic lives of humans in Japan. This actually signifies the sacrifices of samurais and kamikaze pilots during World War II, and symbols of these flowers were imprinted on their armor and planes alike.
In Japan, locals gather and admire these exquisite flowers every year during a custom called hanami, which translates to “flower viewing.” This usually comes with celebrations that date back a thousand years where people gather to eat, drink, and hold picnic-style parties underneath the cherry blossoms to cherish their brief presence.
Though sakura did not originate from Canada, you can actually find over 20 species of them here in Vancouver. The two most common kinds are Yoshino cherry, and Kanzan cherry. Yoshino cherry is probably Japan's most popular cherry tree. Its 5 petals are in a clean, angelic white and usually flowers in early to mid-April.
Kanzan cherry on the other hand is probably North America's most popular, and Vancouver's most abundant Japanese cherry tree species. It usually flowers right after Yoshino cherry in mid-April to early May for only about two to three weeks. Its blossoms are light to dark pink depending on location, and consist of over twenty petals each.
If you wish to admire more varieties of sakura, you can try your luck at Stanley or Queen Elizabeth Park. With the weather warming up but not too hot yet, it’s the perfect time for a tranquil picnic. To celebrate the cherry blossom season we have launched a special sakura themed Japanese ceramic set so you can fully immerse yourself in the experience!
